Moving to Málaga? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Málaga is on the Costa del Sol – the Coast of the Sun – in the Andalucia region of southern Spain. It is an area with a history spanning almost 3,000 years, after being founded in 770 BC.

If you are considering moving to Málaga, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the second-largest city in the province of Andalucia.

Quick Málaga Facts:

Population: 571,026 (2018)
Official Language: Spanish (de facto) with many other languages being spoken by expat residents, including English, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese and Polish.
GDP Per Capita: $33,711 USD (2016)
Picasso: Málaga is the birthplace of Picasso, in 1881
Currency: Euro (EUR). As of 2024, £1 = €1.20, $1 USD = €0.89, $1 CAD = €0.66, $1 AUD = €0.61

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Málaga

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest global cities, and shipping it to Málaga:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$2,450 - $2,550	$4,400 - $4,600
Berlin	$1,950 - $2,050	$3,600 - $3,800
Chicago	$2,250 - $2,350	$4,100 - $4,300
Chongqing	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,800 - $5,000
Delhi	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,700 - $4,900
Dubai	$2,750 - $2,850	$5,000 - $5,200
Houston	$2,350 - $2,450	$4,200 - $4,400
Los Angeles	$2,250 - $2,350	$4,100 - $4,300
Madrid	$1,800 - $1,900	$3,300 - $3,500
New York City	$2,150 - $2,250	$4,000 - $4,200
Paris	$1,900 - $2,000	$3,500 - $3,700
Phoenix	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Rome	$1,900 - $2,000	$3,500 - $3,700
Shanghai	$2,550 - $2,650	$4,600 - $4,800
Sydney	$2,950 - $3,050	$5,200 - $5,400
Toronto	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Vancouver	$2,350 - $2,450	$4,300 - $4,500
Vienna	$2,000 - $2,100	$3,600 - $3,800

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (September 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Málaga Housing Costs

Housing prices are very affordable compared with other major cities around the world and there’s a large selection of different housing types, from small studios to palatial mansions. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Málaga:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €780+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €600+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,330+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,000+

Málaga Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €3,700+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €2,375+

Málaga Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Málaga compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 66.2% more expensive
New York is 76.8% more expensive
Los Angeles is 68.4% more expensive
Toronto is 52.5% more expensive
Vancouver is 55.7% more expensive
Sydney is 58.8% more expensive
Melbourne is 41.9% more expensive
Dubai is 51.6% more expensive
Paris is 47.3% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: House and flat share are commonplace in Málaga. With a house/apartment share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. There are many flats available for shared rental as well. Have a look at ZoomLaLa, Piso Compartido, Flatmates, Gabino Home and erasmusu to find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
Different Areas – Different Prices: The price of property, either for rental or purchase, is exceptionally low compared with other large cities around the world. If history interests you, then living in the Old Town District will suit you. It has a good selection of apartments and is saturated with excellent restaurants, bars and shops. Los Montes has housing of various styles and prices. It has glorious views across the city and the bay and is known for its traditional Spanish fare and hospitality. The beach areas of Málaga are full of apartment blocks of varying sizes and prices. There really is something for every pocket here. El Perchel is one of the up-and-coming neighbourhoods in the city. Gone is the strong smell of drying fish and sadly, many of the older buildings, but the area is now popular with international students and locals alike.

3. Málaga Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Málaga has some excellent restaurants where you can spend hours sitting, eating and drinking while soaking up the atmosphere.

Inexpensive Restaurant: €10.00 – €12.00
Takeout Coffee: €1.80 – €2.00
Bottle of Coke: €1.80 – €2.00
1L of Milk: €0.80 – €0.90
Loaf of Bread: €0.90 – €1.20
12 Eggs: €2.40 – €2.60
1kg Chicken: €6.40 – €7.00
1kg Beef: €11.50 – €12.00
1kg Apples: €1.60 – €2.00
1kg White Rice: €1.30 – €1.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 53.2% more expensive and groceries are 59.4% more expensive than Málaga.
Los Angeles restaurants are 48.2% more expensive and groceries are 47.2% more expensive than Málaga.
London restaurants are 42.2% more expensive and groceries are 28.4% more expensive than Málaga.
Paris restaurants are 35.3% more expensive and groceries are 46.9% more expensive than Málaga.
Toronto restaurants are 37.5% more expensive and groceries are 40.6% more expensive than Málaga.
Vancouver restaurants are 35.8% more expensive and groceries are 42.9% more expensive than Málaga.
Sydney restaurants are 38.3% more expensive and groceries are 47.9% more expensive than Málaga.
Melbourne restaurants are 37.3% more expensive and groceries are 48.6% more expensive than Málaga.
Dubai restaurants are 34.3% more expensive and groceries are 17.1% more expensive than Málaga.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Málaga has a large selection of supermarkets and most stock a variety of international foods, especially food from the UK. Arkwrights, Costaless and Costamar are among the most popular supermarkets that sell reasonably priced British food. Carrefour and Lidl are also in the city, and they are cheap and sell a variety of food. Supersol is a Spanish supermarket chain where you will find some good quality fish and local produce. There are some excellent markets in Málaga. Mercado Central Ataranzanas is an old-fashioned local produce market, where you can shop and then head to one of the many tapas bars. Have a look at Devour Malaga to see where the locals shop.
Find Cheap Eats: If you search, you will find excellent food at good prices in the city. Have a look at the following sites to see which restaurants tantalise your taste buds – Trip Advisor and Fuerte Hoteles.

4. Málaga Alcohol Costs

Málaga has a massive selection of bars, clubs and nightclubs, many aimed at the tourist. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €2.60 – €2.70
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €3.00 – €3.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €1.00 – €1.50
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.90 – €2.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €4.50 – €5.00

How To Drink For Less in Málaga:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Málaga is full of bars and clubs which offer their guests specials at certain times of the day or evening. Have a look at the following sites to find where your favourite tipple is on special – Reddit, Trip Advisor and The Culture Trip.

5. Málaga Transportation Fares

Málaga has a cheap and efficient bus network run by EMT. There is also a rail service which runs two lines: one along the coast to Fuengirola and the other inland to Alora. The maximum price of a return ticket is €3.35.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – €1.40
One day ticket for the bus – €3.00
Monthly season ticket for bus, tram and metro – €35.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a 10-trip ticket. This can be shared by several people – €8.30
Buy a bike. Many people cycle around Málaga, including families.
Walk. Depending on where you live and work, walking is certainly an option.

6. Cost of Internet in Málaga

Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Ono: €33.40 a month (fiber broadband up to 600mb)
Orange: €30.95 a month (fiber broadband up to 500mb)

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Málaga enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. July is its hottest month with an average daily temperature of 25°C. Winter’s coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 13°C. November is the wettest month, with an average of 101mm of rain falling.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: €70 – €80
Summer Dress: €30 – €35
Running Shoes (Trainers): €70 – €80
Business Shoes: €90 – €100
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): 70
Deodorant: €2.50
Shampoo: €3
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €2
Gym Membership: €40 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: €8

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Málaga

Everyone in Spain drives on the right. Driving in Málaga is fine but parking is nearly impossible during the summer month, and, should you be lucky enough to find a space, it’s very expensive.

If you’re moving to Málaga from within Spain, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address with our new Málaga one at your nearest traffic office.

If you live outside the EU, then you can drive on that licence for six months. If your foreign licence is not in Spanish, then you must obtain a Spanish translation or get an International Driving Licence. After this six-month period, you must obtain a Spanish driving licence.

If you are from an EU country then you will need to get a Spanish licence after being in the country for two years. However, you must register your details with the Central Register of Drivers and Minor Offenders after six months. Note that persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive in Spain.

Residents of certain countries can exchange their licence, other people will need to take a Spanish driving test – both written and practical. Expatica.com has useful information in English for expats wanting to drive in Spain.

If you are taking a car with you to Spain, you can drive it for 6 months without registering it in Spain. After the 6 months period, you have 30 days to register it.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Málaga:

Volkswagen Golf: €25,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): €1.76
Registration Fee (if any): the cost depends on the size of the vehicle and its CO2 emissions.

Source: Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Málaga:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld and BlaBlaCar.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.

9. Taxes in Málaga

No matter where you live in Spain, you will pay the same rate of tax. Sales Tax, or VAT (Value Added Tax) is 21% in Spain and is included in the price that is advertised.

If you own a property in Spain you will need to pay IBI tax. The amount varies depending on the size of the property, the services you receive and the area it’s in. Note if you rent a property, it is the owner who pays IBI, not the tenant.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Spain, you must pay various taxes and fees. There is a property transfer tax of between 5% and 10%, VAT is payable at 10% on new properties, notary costs, title deed tax and land registration fees are between 1% and 2.5% of the purchase price and legal fees will cost between 1% and 2%.

10. Flight Costs from Málaga

If you do make the move to Málaga, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

New York: €260
Los Angeles: €370
London: €20
Paris: €15
Toronto: €300
Vancouver: €520
Dubai: €190
Sydney: €640
Melbourne: €560
Cape Town: €490
Hong Kong: €500

Other Tips on Moving to Málaga:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Málaga but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Málaga Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Málaga.

Meetups: Málaga has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup.com. Join DataBeers Málaga, Toastmasters Málaga, Málaga Mountain Biking, Circuit Training at the Beach and many more.
Attend Local Events: Málaga is a busy city which attracts many tourists each year, particularly those from Europe. Find out what’s going on from Visit Costa Del Sol, Malaga and Andalucia.

12. Moving to Málaga with a Family

Málaga has a lot to offer families but the busy summer season can be an off-put. Here’s some extra food for thought.

New Parents (or parents to be): Mums Abroad is an excellent site which will give you information on antenatal classes, postnatal classes and general parenting. It’s an interactive site so you can ask for information directly.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Paseo del Parque borders the old town and has lots of green space and is right on the waterfront. There are some large apartments in this area which are ideal for young families. Los Montes is a beautiful area of Málaga which has magnificent views over the city and the bay. There’s a variety of housing available, including large villas with all the trimmings. Málaga’s beaches are full of residential apartment complexes, complete with pools, gyms and other facilities. These may suit young families.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Where’s Sharon, Trip Advisor and Triphobo all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Málaga for Work

Moving to Málaga for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. The unemployment rate in Spain as a whole rose to 18.75% during the first quarter of 2017. Málaga’s construction industry has slowed significantly but there are job opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry. The city has also managed to grow its logistics, transport and technology sectors. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Málaga, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Think Spain, Reed, Xpat Jobs and The Local. You may also want to google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Málaga from Australia

There are a few Australians soaking up the sun in Málaga. Here’s more food for thought:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Málaga with the population of a city in Australia, you’d be looking at a city mid-way in size between Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Málaga.

15. Moving to Málaga from Canada

You’ll find a few Canadians living in Madrid. Here are a few extra points to consider:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Málaga with the population of a city in Canada, you’d be looking at a city 10% larger than Kitchener.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Canadians in Málaga.

16. Moving to Málaga from the United States

There’s a small American contingent living and working in Málaga. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: Málaga’s population is almost identical to that of Albuquerque.
Expat Groups: Meeting Americans who are already living and working in Málaga is an excellent way to make friends and learn how to integrate quickly into your new life. InterNations and Expat.com will enable you to meet other expats from the States and other countries.

17. Moving to Málaga from the United Kingdom

They are a lot of Brits living and working in Málaga. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Málaga with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at a city five times the size of Birmingham.
Expat Groups: Meeting Brits who are already living and working in Málaga is an excellent way to make friends and learn all about living in the city. Have a look at the following sites to find people from home – InterNations and Expat.com.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Málaga you can start by comparing moving quotes here.